VEHICLE RESPONSE DURING VEHICLE ACCELERATION CONDITIONS

• US 20090275440A1
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Riedle, Brad, Page, Frederick, Kwong, Hank, Doering, Jeff, Travis, Jeff, Ciarrochi, Rob, Rollinger, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,239,113 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/102
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1004 Estimation of the output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/12 Engine control specially adapted for a transmission comprising a torque converter or for continuously variable transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0215 in relation with elements of the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/187 using a hot wire flow sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1504 with particular means during a transient phase, e.g. acceleration, deceleration, gear change during starting F02P5/1506
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A vehicle control method for transitioning through transmission lash regions is described using a variety of information, such as, for example, gear ratio, clutch slippage, etc. Further, different adjustment of spark and throttle angle is used to provide a rapid torque response while still reducing effects of the lash. Finally, transitions taking into account both slipping and non-slipping transmissions are described.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A vehicle control method for a vehicle having powertrain with an internal combustion engine and a transmission having a clutch, the method comprising:

transitioning through a lash region of the transmission during clutch slipping conditions in response to a driver tip-in; and

during the transition, first retarding ignition timing past maximum torque timing while increasing engine airflow, and then second, advancing ignition timing from the retarded timing while continuing to increase engine airflow.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said retarding and advancing of ignition timing is based on an amount of clutch slipping.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said clutch is a torque converter clutch.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said clutch slipping is present when said torque converter is un-locked.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said ignition timing is adjusted based on a gear ratio of the transmission.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said lash region is detected based on at least one of torque converter speeds and estimated engine torque.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein said retarding of ignition timing and increasing of engine airflow occurs while torque converter output speed is greater than torque converter input speed, and said advancing of ignition timing occurs while torque converter output speed is less than torque converter input speed.